After fling with lead, Tabuena trails Meesawat by a stroke

Miguel Tabuena went from having a one-shot lead to trailing by one going into the final round. —RICHARD A. REYES

Miguel Tabuena wrested the lead Friday only to yield it back to Prom Meesawat following an infraction in the 100th Solaire Philippine Open at The Country Club in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

The Filipino ace initially submitted a one-under-par 71, but it was later revised to 73 after he changed his “3” on hole 11 to a double-bogey “5,” enabling the Thai to regain top spot despite a 74.

American Nicolas Paez, the third man in the last flight, claimed Tabuena hit a loose leaf on his backswing on a bunker on the par-3 No. 11, resulting in a two-stroke penalty.

Tabuena signed his scorecard and left hurriedly.

“Sorry, I can’t,” said Tabuena when asked for his comment on the infraction that could affect his title bid in the record $600,000 event put up by Solarie Resort and Casino.

Tabuena pooled a 218, one off Meesawat’s 217.